EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS: Fiscal Year 2015: Development of innovative watershed education tools, Fil's management systems. Fiscal Year 2017: No Current Data Available The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this CFDA description will be described in the competitive announcement. Competitive applications and proposals will be selected in accordance with announced criteria. To (1) implement the Long Island Sound Study (LISS) Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) and (2) assist the states of Connecticut and New York, and other public or nonprofit entities in conducting research, experiments, investigations, training, demonstration, surveys, or studies related to reducing pollution and improving the quality of the environment to sustain living resources in the Long Island Sound. Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2016: EPA's funding priority is to award grants that support the Long Island Sound Study (LISS) National Estuary Program. Section 119(d) of the Clean Water Act as amended by the Long Island Sound Restoration Act of 2000, P.L. 106-457 authorizes the Administrator to award grants to eligible entities to implement the LISS Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP), with special emphasis on implementation, research and planning, enforcement, and citizen involvement and education projects. The LISS management conference, with participants from state, interstate and regional environmental agencies, local governments and other Program Descriptions public or nonprofit private agencies, research institutions and individuals, develops programs to protect and restore Long Island Sound. The LISS program characterizes the problems in the estuary, determines relationships between pollutant loading and impacts on living resources, maintains a comprehensive plan recommending solutions to priority problems, and implements actions addressing priority problem areas. Activities will focus on theme areas identified in the plan as requiring special attention, such as: clean waters and healthy watersheds; thriving habitats and abundant wildlife; sustainable and resilient communities; and sound science and inclusive management. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: PROJECT GRANTS USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: Funds may be used to implement elements of the LISS CCMP. Special emphasis shall be given to CCMP implementation projects, research and planning, enforcement, and citizen involvement and education projects. The Administrator may give priority to a distressed community as defined in 33 USC 1269(e)(1). Assistance agreement awards under this program may involve or relate to geospatial information. Further information regarding geospatial information may be obtained by viewing the following website: http://geodata.epa.gov. Grant recipients and sub-recipients are encouraged to adopt and enforce policies that ban text messaging while driving company-owned or -rented vehicles or government-owned vehicles, or while driving privately-owned vehicles when on official government business or when performing any work for or on behalf of the government. Grant recipients and sub-recipients are encouraged to conduct initiatives of the type described in section 3(a) of the Federal Leadership on Reducing Text Messaging While Driving Executive Order that was signed on October 1, 2009. Generally this program makes Federal awards on a discretionary basis. For further information, please contact the Headquarters or regional office. Applicant Eligibility: State, interstate, and regional water pollution control agencies, and other public or nonprofit private agencies, institutions, and organizations are eligible. Private profit-making entities, and individuals, are not eligible. For certain competitive funding opportunities under this CFDA description, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy. Beneficiary Eligibility: Assistance under this program generally benefits state, interstate, and regional water pollution control agencies and other public or nonprofit private agencies, institutions, and organizations. The general public and Long Island Sound user groups such as swimmers, beach goers, sport and commercial fishermen, boaters, and shellfishes, benefit from the results of the program through cleaner water, restored and protected habitat, and preserved and enhanced ecosystems. Credentials/Documentation: Nonprofit private agencies, institutions and organizations may be required to provide documentation of their organizational status upon application. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E-Cost Principles applies to this program. Preapplication Coordination: The EPA Long Island Sound Office (LISO) issues annual guidance on the form and content of pre-proposals. All pre-proposals or work statements should be consistent with LISO's guidance. Consultation or technical assistance may be available upon request from the LISO to aid applicants in preparing their pre-proposal. Regarding pre-application/pre-proposal assistance with respect to competitive funding opportunities under this program description, EPA will generally specify the nature of the pre-application/pre-proposal assistance, if any, that will be available to applicants in the competitive announcement. For additional information, contact the individual(s) listed as "Information Contacts" or see Appendix IV of the Catalog. An environmental impact statement or environmental impact assessment is not required for this program. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. Application Procedures: 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. The EPA LISO annually releases a request for base program pre-proposals in the Fall. Pre-proposals are due to the LISO generally by early January or as specified in guidance. The LISS management committee reviews pre-proposals in late January to identify areas of concern and to request additional information or clarification on proposals through the LISO. The LISO coordinates review of pre-proposals among the several LISS technical work groups and teams to ensure consistency with program goals and objectives as outlined in the CCMP and other priorities as directed by the management committee. If necessary, applicants are contacted by the LISO to provide the additional information or clarification. The LISO coordinates review of the revised proposals and develops funding recommendations for the management committee's consideration in April. The management committee makes final recommendations on funding pre-proposals at that time, or as otherwise specified. Applicants are advised of the status of their request by the LISO within 30 days of the management committee's final decisions. Successful applicants are required to submit formal grant applications using the standard federal grant application forms. The deadline for submitting applications may vary by EPA Region, but is generally June 1. Applications not received by the deadline are not further considered for funding. Unallocated funds are carried over or otherwise used to further the purposes of this program at the discretion of the management committee. Applicants, except in limited circumstances approved by the Agency, must submit all initial applications for funding through http://www.grants.gov. Award Procedure: Each federal assistance application and final work plan will be evaluated by the LISO to determine the adequacy of the application under LISS priorities and objectives, including technical merit and relevance of the project to the implementation of the CCMP and for consistency with the pre-application proposal. Each federal assistance award application will also be subject to an administrative review by the EPA Region I or II grants management office as appropriate. Funds are awarded by the EPA Region I or II Administrator as appropriate. Grantees will receive a final assistance award package from the appropriate EPA Regional grants management office that must be accepted and signed by an authorized official of the recipient organization and returned to the GMO as specified in the EPA award document. Awards may be made on an advance or reimbursement basis. Awards that are not signed and returned by the deadline specified in the assistance award document may be subject to cancellation. For competitive awards, EPA will review and evaluate applications, proposals, and/or submissions in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the competitive announcement. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with EPA policies/regulations for competing assistance agreements. Deadlines: Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines. Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Notification of action on pre-proposals is provided approximately 120 days after the deadline for pre-proposal submission. Final grantees are notified of approval approximately 90 days after the submission of the application for federal assistance. Appeals: Assistance agreement competition-related disputes will be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures published in 70 FR (Federal Register) 3629, 3630 (January 26, 2005). Copies of these procedures may also Renewals are subject to approval of EPA. This program has no statutory formula. Matching Requirements: This program has no statutory formula (33 USC 1269(d)(3)). Federal costs for citizen involvement and education grants shall not exceed 95 percent of the costs of such work; for all other grants and cooperative agreements, federal costs shall not exceed 50 percent of the research, studies, or work. EPA has determined that annual matching requirements for LISS grant awards shall be met in the aggregate for all funds awarded as specified in the approved annual work plan. This program does not have MOE requirements. Assistance agreements are generally made for a one-year period corresponding to the federal fiscal year, October-September. Awards may be made for longer periods upon justification and with the approval of EPA. Awards may be made by advance or reimbursement at the discretion of EPA. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: The method of fund disbursement will be determined at the time of award. Reports: EPA includes reporting requirements for grants and cooperative agreements in the terms and conditions of the agreements. Agreements require semi-annual and final progress reports, and expenditure/financial, equipment, and invention reports. Specific reporting requirements are also identified in the grant regulations at 2 CFR 200 and 1500, as applicable. Program reports are required under this program. Cash reports are required under this program. Progress reports are required under this program. Expenditure reports are required under this program. Performance monitoring is required under this program. Audits: In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements, non-Federal entities that expend financial assistance of $750,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-Federal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.503. Grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspections and audits by the Comptroller General of the United States, the EPA Office of Inspector General, other EPA staff, or any authorized representative of the Federal government. Reviews by the EPA Project Officer and the Grants Specialist may occur each year. Records: Financial records, including all documents to support entries on accounting records and to substantiate changes to each grant, must be kept available to personnel authorized to examine EPA grant accounts. All records must be maintained for three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report. If questions still remain, such as those raised as a result of audit, related records should be retained until the matter is completely resolved. Account Identification: these pro miles to a post-TMDL average of 170.3 square miles; restored or protected 410 "Informenta ve selector i plicable. acres of coastal habitat; and reopened 21.63 river miles to diadromous fish ory for the number of anticipated awards. FY 16 data is not yet available. Fiscal Year educating 2017: No Current Data Available REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE: LISS grants and cooperative agreements are subject to grant regulations at 40 CFR Part 35, 2 CFR 200 and 1500; annual EPA Office of Water National Estuaries Program guidance; the LISS CCMP, and Long Island Sound 2003 or successor Agreement. Website Address: http://longislandsoundstudy.net/ RELATED PROGRAMS: 10.904 Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention; 10.914 Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program; 11.419 Coastal Zone Management Administration Awards; 11.420 Coastal Zone Management Estuarine Research Reserves; 15.608 Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance; 15.611 Wildlife Restoration; 15.614 Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act; 15.615 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund; 15.616 Clean Vessel Act; 15.630 Coastal Program; 66.419 Water Pollution Control State, Interstate, and Tribal Program Support; 66.454 Water Quality Management Planning; 66.456 National Estuary Program; 66.460 Nonpoint Source Implementation Grants EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS: Fiscal Year 2015: Grants and cooperative agreements awarded to states and local governments, colleges, universities, interstate agencies and nonprofit organizations are for nonpoint source implementation, scientific research, water quality monitoring and modeling, public education and outreach, living resources management, habitat restoration and program support. Examples are listed as follows: (1) Hypoxia: sustain and accelerate efforts to meet the LISS nutrient reduction goals in the nitrogen Total Maximum Daily Load to attain water quality conditions necessary to support the living resources of the Sound; (2) Habitat Restoration: restore and protect living resources, their habitats and ecological relationships; (3) Water Quality Monitoring: collect water quality samples at monitoring stations in Long Island Sound and interpret data on Long Island Sound and embayments. (4) Communication/Outreach: Provide communication, outreach and education components of the LISS partnership; (5) Modeling: develop, calibrate, and manage the application of linked airshed-watershed-estuarine hydrodynamic-water quality-living resources models to support the LISS for understanding the nutrient and sediment affects Program Descriptions in the Long Island Sound estuary system and (6) Research: investigate causes and effects of eutrophication on water quality and living marine resources; study factors affecting abundance and distribution of submerged aquatic vegetation, food web dynamics, and tidal wetland loss. Fiscal Year 2016: Grants and cooperative agreements awarded to states and local governments, colleges, universities, interstate agencies and nonprofit organizations are for nonpoint source implementation, scientific research, water quality monitoring and modeling, public education and outreach, living resources management, habitat restoration and program support. Examples are listed as follows: (1) Hypoxia: sustain and accelerate efforts to meet the LISS nutrient reduction goals in the nitrogen Total Maximum Daily Load to attain water quality conditions necessary to support the living resources of the Sound; (2) Habitat Restoration: restore and protect living resources, their habitats and ecological relationships; (3) Water Quality Monitoring: collect water quality samples at monitoring stations in Long Island Sound and interpret data on Long Island Sound and embayments. (4) Communication/Outreach: Provide communication, outreach and education components of the LISS partnership; (5) Modeling: develop, calibrate, and manage the application of linked airshed-watershed-estuarine hydrodynamic-water quality-living resources models to support the LISS for understanding the nutrient and sediment affects in the Long Island Sound estuary system and (6) Research: investigate causes and effects of eutrophication on water quality and living marine resources; study factors affecting abundance and distribution of submerged aquatic vegetation, food web dynamics, and tidal wetland loss. Fiscal Year 2017: No Current Data Available CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS: The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this CFDA description will be described in the competitive announcement. 66.439 TARGETED WATERSHEDS GRANTS Office of Water, Environmental Protection Agency Consolidated Appropriations Act 2005, Public Law 108-447; Dept. of Interior, To support innovative, community-based watershed approaches aimed at TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: Cooperative Agreements USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: Funds are used to support both on-the-ground and educational activities relating to the prevention, reduction, and elimination of water pollution. Funds are awarded to eligible entities that best meet the selection criteria described in the Request for Proposals. Successful candidates will have a thorough knowledge of their watershed, have a watershed management plan in place, propose a specific project to address identified problems or barriers to water quality, demonstrate broad-based support from a number of public and private entities, and have a demonstrated record of managing watershed project(s). Eligible activities should be able to show tangible outputs and outcomes within a relatively short time period of two to five years. For implementation grants, candidates must also have a specific water quality monitoring and evaluation plan demonstrating measurable environmental outputs and outcomes, and a strong peer and/or public outreach and education component. EPA has chosen to declare certain projects or activities ineligible for funding. These include activities required or regulated under the CWA. For example, activities for the development of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) and Phase II Stormwater projects will not be funded. Activities implementing the non-regulatory component of TMDLs (e.g., the elements of a watershed plan that address non-point source pollution), however, are eligible. Specific uses and restrictions on funds will be described in detail in the competitive announcements. Assistance agreement awards under this program may involve or relate to geospatial information. Further information regarding geospatial information may be obtained by viewing the following website: https://www.epa.gov/geospatial. Grant recipients and sub-recipients are encouraged to adopt and enforce policies that ban text messaging while driving company-owned or -rented vehicles or government-owned vehicles, or while driving privately-owned vehicles when on official government business or when performing any work for or on behalf of the government. Grant recipients and sub-recipients are encouraged to conduct initiatives of the type described in section 3(a) of the Federal Leadership on Reducing Text Messaging While Driving Executive Order that was signed on October 1, 2009. Generally this program makes Federal awards on a discretionary basis. For further information, please contact the Headquarters or regional office. Applicant Eligibility: States, local governments, public and private nonprofit institutions/organizations, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, U.S. territories or possessions, and interstate agencies are eligible. For-profit commercial entities and all federal agencies are ineligible. Nonprofit organizations described in Section 501 (c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying activities as defined in Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 are not eligible. For certain competitive funding opportunities under this CFDA description, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy. Preapplication Coordination: Regarding pre-application/pre-proposal assistance with respect to competitive funding opportunities under this program description, EPA will generally specify the nature of the pre-application/pre-proposal assistance, if any, that will be available to applicants in the competitive announcement. For additional information, contact the individual(s) listed as "Information Contacts" or see Appendix IV of the Catalog. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. Application Procedures: 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Applicants will be required to submit a formal grant application. The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by 2 CFR 200 and 1500 as applicable must be used for this program. EPA requires final applications to be made on Standard Form 424. Requests for application kits must be submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency, Grants and Interagency Agreements Management Division, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Mail Code 3903R, Washington, DC 20460 or through the appropriate EPA Regional Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog. Additional information on the EPA grant package can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/ogd/grants/how_to_apply.htm. Applicants, except in limited circumstances approved by the Agency, must submit all initial applications for funding through http://www.grants.gov. Award Procedure: For competitive awards, EPA will review and evaluate applications, proposals, and/or submissions in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the competitive announcement. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with EPA policies/regulations for competing assistance agreements. Deadlines: Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines. Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Regional or Headquarters review will typically be completed within approximately 120-150 days following the deadline for submissions. Appeals: Assistance agreement competition-related disputes will be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures published in 70 FR (Federal Register) 3629, 3630 (January 26, 2005). Copies of these procedures may also be requested by contacting the individual(s) listed as "Information Contacts." Disputes relating to matters other than the competitive selection of recipients will be resolved under 2 CFR 1500 Subpart E, as applicable. Renewals: Not Applicable. Formula and Matching Requirements: This program has no statutory formula. Matching Requirements: This program has no statutory formula. Applicants are required to demonstrate a minimum non-federal match of 25% of the total cost of the project or projects. Match may be cash or in-kind consistent with the regulation governing match requirements (2 CFR 200 and 1500). Tribes and tribal watershed groups may be exempt from this match requirement if they are constrained to such an extent that fulfilling the match requirement would impose undue economic hardship. This program does not have MOE requirements. The term of the grant shall be determined at the time of grant award. See the EPA includes reporting requirements for grants and cooperative agreements in the terms and conditions of the agreements. Agreements may require quarterly, interim, and final progress reports, and expenditure/financial, equipment, and invention reports. Specific reporting requirements are also identified in the grant regulations at 2 CFR 200 and 1500, as applicable. Program reports are required under this program. Cash reports are required under this program. Progress reports are required under this program. Expenditure reports are required under this program. Performance monitoring is required under this program. Audits: In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements, non-Federal entities that expend financial assistance of $750,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-Federal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.503. Grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspections and audits by the Comptroller General of the United States, the EPA Office of Inspector General, other EPA staff, or any authorized representative of the Federal government. Reviews by the EPA Project Officer and the Grants Specialist may occur each year. Records: December 2011 ved by the Financial records, including all documents to support entries on accounting http:/www.records and to substantiate changes to each grant must be kept available to ate appliczn ndition, personnel authorized to examine EPA grant accounts. All records must be maintained until expiration of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report. If questions still remain, such as those raised as a result of an audit, related records should be retained until the matter is completely resolved. Account Identification: 68-0103-0-1-304. Obligations: be condire (Cooperative Agreements) FY 15 $0; FY 16 est $0; and FY 17 est $0 - National Targeted Watersheds Grants Program: FY 15 $0; FY 16 est. $0; and FY 17 est. ting $0. Western Estuaries Initiative: FY 15 $0; FY 16 est. $0; and FY 17 est. $0. Targeted Watersheds Urban Waters Initiative: FY 15 $0; FY 16 est. $0; FY 17 riate, forest. $0. Range and Average of Financial Assistance: National Targeted Watersheds Grant Program: $400,000 to $900,000/fiscal mpleted year, $650,000/fiscal year. Western Estuaries Initiative: $90,000 to $280,000/fiscal year; $185,000/fiscal Targeted Watersheds Urban Waters Initiative: $600,000/fiscal year. TAFS Codes: 68-0103. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Fiscal Year 2015: Not applicable as no funding will be provided in FY 15. REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE: For grants and cooperative agreements the procedures and requirements should be in conformance with 2 CFR 200 and 1500 as applicable, and 40 CFR Part 35. Regional or Local Office: See Regional Agency Offices. Contact the appropriate EPA Regional Office listed below: Contact the appropriate EPA Regional Office listed below. Region I: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire; Contact: Rob Adler telephone 617-918-1396; e-mail adler.robert@epa.gov. Region II: New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands; Contact: Cyndy Kopitsky, telephone 212-637-3832; e-mail kopitsky.cyndy@epa.gov. Region III: Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington, DC; Contact: Contact: Ralph Spagnolo, telephone 215-814-2718; e-mail spagnolo.ralph@epa.gov. Region IV: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Paul Thomas, telephone 312-886-7742; e-mail thomas.paul@epa.gov. Region VII: Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska; Contact: Mandy Whitsitt, telephone 913-551-7311; e-mail whitsitt.mandy@epa.gov. Region VIII: Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming; Contact: Stacey Eriksen, telephone 303-312-6692, e-mail eriksen.stacey@epa.gov. Region IX: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, American Samoa, Mariana Islands, Guam; Contact: Ephraim Leon-Guererro, telephone 415-972-3444; e-mail leon-guererro.ephraim@epa.gov. Region X: Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington; Contact: Bevin Horn, telephone 206-553-1566; e-mail horn.bevin@epa.gov. Headquarters Office: Felicia Palmer-Greene Felicia Palmer-Greene, Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and http://water.epa.gov/grants_funding/twg/initiative_index.cfm RELATED PROGRAMS: 66.419 Water Pollution Control State, Interstate, and Tribal Program Support; 66.454 Water Quality Management Planning EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS: Fiscal Year 2015: Not applicable as no funding will be provided in FY 15. Fiscal Year 2016: Not applicable as no funding will be provided in FY 16. Fiscal Year 2017: No Current Data Available CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS: The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this CFDA description will be described in the competitive announcement. 66.440 URBAN WATERS SMALL GRANTS FEDERAL AGENCY: Office of Water, Environmental Protection Agency Clean Water Act, Section 104(b)(3), Public Law 95-217, 33 U.S.C 1251; OBJECTIVES: The objective of EPA's Urban Waters Program is to protect and restore America's urban waterways. EPA's funding priority is to achieve the goals and commitments established in the Agency's Urban Waters Strategic Framework (http://www2.epa.gov/urbanwaters/urban-waters-strategic-framework). This program has an emphasis on engaging communities with environmental justice concerns. The objective of the Urban Waters Small Grants is to fund research, investigations, experiments, training, surveys, studies, and demonstrations that will advance the restoration of urban waters by improving water quality in urban areas through activities that also support community revitalization and other local priorities. This program recognizes that healthy and accessible urban waters can help grow local businesses and enhance educational, recreational, social, and employment opportunities in nearby communities. The objective of the Urban Waters Small Grants is to fund research, investigations, experiments, training, surveys, studies, and demonstrations that will advance the restoration of urban waters by improving water quality in urban areas through activities that also support community revitalization and other local priorities. This program recognizes that healthy and accessible urban waters can help grow local businesses and enhance educational, recreational, social, and employment opportunities in nearby communities. Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2016: In FY 2016, EPA's funding priority for Urban Waters Small Grants is to fund projects that improve water quality by Program Descriptions |